‘It certainly appealed to me. In some ways, I preferred it to Glasgow. Didn’t see as much as I’d hoped, but I loved the openness of it, like the coloured fountains at that plaza near the conference centre.’

‘Centenary Square.’

‘That’s it. The canals are awesome too. I had drinks by the waterside with a few of the conference delegates I met.’

‘You do seem to have enjoyed it.’

‘I did.’ I pause reflectively. ‘Think if I ever had to go south for work, I’d certainly consider moving there.’

Though we haven’t even introduced ourselves, we continue to chat. By the time the train is pulling into the platform at Glasgow Central, we’re fairly well acquainted; as we’re alighting from the train, we’re at the stage of having a proper ‘goodbye’.

‘It was nice chatting to you.’ I gather my stuff and get to my feet.

‘You too. Good luck with the career.’

‘And good luck with the stag do. Hope the groom makes it down the aisle in one piece.’

‘Me too.’

We step down onto the platform separately, which acts as a natural opportunity for us to go our separate ways. But as I make my way towards the ticket barriers, I feel a hand touch my shoulder lightly. I turn and find myself looking once again into his unsettlingly attractive dark eyes. My stomach swirls in response to this.

‘Don’t suppose you’ve time for a quick drink?’ he asks uncertainly. ‘I don’t need to be anywhere til this evening.’

I’m caught off guard by this advance. ‘Oh, I err… sorry. I’m… engaged.’

His face falls and his eyes flicker to my left hand. ‘Right. Shit. Sorry, I didn’t mean to—’

‘Don’t be sorry’ – the fingers of my right hand instinctively go to my ring finger protectively – ‘you weren’t to know. I’m flattered, honestly.’

‘And I’m embarrassed. Think I’ll just… head.’

Before I can say anything more, he offers me a cringing smile and a half-wave and disappears into the moving crowd of travellers. I chuckle out loud and give myself a little shake as I try to digest what just happened: in particular, the notably inappropriate feeling of disappointment that’s hanging around me. What the hell is that about? It’s not like I’m never going to find other men attractive now I’m getting married. But I’ve got Dom – the most amazing man in the world – and I’m completely besotted with him. And I’ve missed him something rotten while I’ve been away at the conference.

Carrying on through the ticket barriers, I make my way outside and hurry across the road to the prearranged pickup point I agreed with Dom. I quickly throw my case in the car boot and jump into the passenger seat so he can take off before a traffic warden books him, but he seems more concerned with greeting me.

‘Hi, kitten. How was your journey?’ His piercing blue eyes search mine.

‘Long but fine.’

‘I know it was only two nights but I missed you.’